California judge halts state's largest data center
An Imperial County judge has halted the Imperial Valley Data Center project, California's largest proposed data center, demanding a full environmental review. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the City of Imperial and the Sierra Club, citing concerns over water, energy, and air quality impacts. The developer intends to appeal the decision.
An Imperial County Superior Court judge has temporarily halted the proposed Imperial Valley Data Center, which would be the largest data center in California, ruling that the project requires a comprehensive environmental impact report under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Judge Brooks Anderholt's decision came after a lawsuit was filed by the City of Imperial and the Sierra Club against Imperial County, arguing that the county had improperly approved a lot merger for the facility without a full environmental assessment. The project, developed by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, is slated to be nearly one million square feet and consume 330 megawatts of power.
Concerns raised include the daily consumption of 750,000 gallons of water, potential air pollution from natural gas generators, and the proximity to residential areas. Imperial City Manager Dennis Morita underscored the need for an objective environmental review for such a large-scale development.
Sebastian Rucci, the project's developer, expressed disappointment but vowed to appeal the ruling, highlighting the estimated $2.94 billion in economic benefits the data center could bring to Imperial County over 30 years. This case is part of broader legal conflicts, including Imperial County's lawsuit against the developer over a data center moratorium and the developer's lawsuit against the Imperial Irrigation District regarding a water request.